DM Jelani's Carrion Crown

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Once the trapdoor is open, Anton will cast his spells and assess the scenario

Drosil checks the door quickly for traps, finds none and opens it. This circular room is choked with webs. A stone staircase curves along the wall to another trapdoor in the ceiling.

This room is filled with webs that imitate a web spell with a save DC of 17.

"We can clear these webs easily." Janos retrieves a torch and his flint and steel.

Unless anyone sees a reason not to, Janos will burn through the webs.

That's reasonable Janos, I'll keep you covered

Dantrian sniffs the air before Janos moves forward with his torch, "Wait. I'd rather know if you're about to drop a swarm of angry spiders atop our heads before you strike that flame."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 and scent, if it helps!

Good Hope, Blur, and Invisibility go up as Drosil searches, his invis just as he finishes.

Dantrian doesn't see anything in the webbing, but he does smell a strange scent. Some kind of vaguely alchemical odor, similar to many of the Count's creations he's smelled so far.

"There is a sharpness in the air here, the same sharpness that's accompanied all of the patchwork creatures we've encountered thus far throughout the schloss." He flexes his hands and fingers, extending his sharp claws as he speaks. Positioning himself in front of the others, he nods to Janos. "Light your torch and be ready for another amalgamated monster of some kind."

fyi - map is just a white grid

Not a white grid! Unlimited space!

Janos lights the torch and carefully sets the webs on fire to clear them. He holds up the torch to further illuminate the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Are there stairs up? I didn't see any mention of some.

Drosil checks the door quickly for traps, finds none and opens it. This circular room is choked with webs. A stone staircase curves along the wall to another trapdoor in the ceiling.

OKay, map's back I accidentally left it on another blank map while I was fixing the schloss map.

Janos discovers a number of faint chalk marks on the east wall of the room.

DC 35 perception or linguistics please.

That DC is beyond my abilities, sir! =P

Then you will remain ignorant, and not understand the plot. MWAHAHAHAHAHAhahahha....bad writing. :/

Anyone know comprehend languages?

If Janos can take 20 on the Perception check and with the Good Hope spell, he can just make it.

As long as you're cool with losing two minutes of all the buffs you just cast.

The buffs I dropped will last seven minutes. Do we think five minutes will be enough for whatever is happening? Any chance of Aid Another helping? lol

Dantrian regards Janos as the webs begin to vanish beneath the kiss of the torch. "What is it, Janos? Do you see something?"

Janos begins climbing the stairs, burning away the webs as he goes. As he walks along the east wall, he stops. He stares at the wall for a few moments, moving up and down the stairs. "There's something here. Faint marks." He squints at the chalk. "Hang on, I think I can make it out, but it'll take a moment."

The Ranger spends two minutes moving along the wall, holding the torch at varying levels to try and decipher the various marks.

Take 20 for a total of 36.

A crude chalk diagram depicts the iron spire atop of the tower, and two strange apparatuses at its pinnacle. An arrow points to the larger of the two devices, next to the words “The Storm Caller must be activated to energize the Bondslave Thrall.”

Bondslave Thrall. Mean anything to anyone?

It seems clear with the webs and the oddities we've encountered that what happened to Aaron and the Count was not good. I'd suggest casting any protection spells you have before heading up these stairs.

A fluttering noise precedes the appearance of a small green homonculus. It holds out its little hands palms out as it flutters in place, showing that it holds no weapons and means no harm. It points enthusiastically to the drawings on the wall, and then to its mouth and mimes talking. Then it grabs its throat and makes as if choking and then shrugs. It cocks its head, waiting for a reply.

With no understanding of what the little creature is trying to convey, Anton turns to the others;

Where did that thing come from? It seems like it wants to tell us something but I can't make it out.

Dantrian coils for a pounce as the homunculus descends into view, but stops himself as the little creature raises its hands defenslessly. He slowly rises back to his normal height and posture and cocks his head as he regards the pantomime performance.

Dantrian's eyes shine menacingly in Janos' torchlight as the lupine alchemist inquires, "It seems clear that you cannot speak but are you able to hear and understand us?"

The creature nods excitedly.

Dantrian points a clawed finger at the diagram on the wall, "Did this device take your ability to speak?"

Count Caromac, is he your master and is he still here?

Dantrian points a clawed finger at the diagram on the wall, "Did this device take your ability to speak?"

The thing shakes its head.

Count Caromac, is he your master and is he still here?

The thing nods excitedly, pointing upward. It holds out its arms and legs stiffly, spread-eagled. Then it mimes not being able to move, struggling against bonds.

He is captive. I can't think of a way to ask it who is responsible. Is he guarded above, how many?

This little guy explains a lot! B'yelka waits, anxious, as the boys play pantomime with the little green guy.

Janos watches the homunculus as the others question it. Then he chimes in with his own questions. "Where is the Count held? Just above this room? Is Aaron there too? The 'Beast' as they call him."

Drosil, silent for some time, looks at the homunculus quizzically then asks, "Is this Bondslave Thrall responsible for the count's imprisonment?"

He is captive. I can't think of a way to ask it who is responsible. Is he guarded above, how many?

The little green man nods enthusiastically, then 'stands' bow legged and hold his arms down in an ape-like fashion. He mimes stomping around and thrashing his fists about, roaring. Then points to the stitches holding his own skin together. Then makes the finger twirling next to his head motion, that means crazy.

Janos watches the homunculus as the others question it. Then he chimes in with his own questions. "Where is the Count held? Just above this room? Is Aaron there too? The 'Beast' as they call him."

The homonculus holds up one finger, then nods. He holds up a second finger and shakes his head.

Drosil, silent for some time, looks at the homunculus quizzically then asks, "Is this Bondslave Thrall responsible for the count's imprisonment?"

The little homon raises an eyebrow at Drosil, as if to say "Really?". Then shakes his head vigorously. He motions for them to follow and then flies down to the base of the tower, the room with the girallon golem. Once there he flies behind one of the massive wooden doors that the Six have left open to the outside, and pushed up against the wall.

"So another of the Count's creations is running amok and currently serves as his jailor. Curious. There must have been others involved if the Count is bound in the fashion that little homnnculus seemed to indicate."

Dantrian taps a clawed finger against his lips, the gesture seeming so familiar and at the same time so strange in his current state. He shakes his head then follows the creature, pulling the door away from the wall to see where the spritely thing has gone.

There is a sheaf of grubby grimy notes pinned to the back of the door.

DC 30 linguistics or comprehend languages to understand them.

Dantrian regards the notes briefly before shaking his head once more, "I could likely read these were I permitted a brief minute to brew the proper distillation. Unless any of you have a more immediate solution?" He holds the notes out, offering them for anyone else to take a look.

I can brew up a comprehend languages for myself in my last open level 1 slot if we feel like this is important enough to burn another minute on. I think it is.

We each have protections that are losing their potency by the moment. But knowledge is a better shield than any we here possess so I say prepare the distillation Dantrian.

Barring any other objections or solutions, Dantrian nods and unpacks his equipment, rapidly brewing a pungent, rooty smelling concoction. With no hesitation, he quaffs the liquid and regards the notes, his pupils dilating slightly as the mixture's effects take hold.

The notes seem to detail the functioning of a device called the Bondslave Thrall. It appears to be the thing on the top of this very tower. When activated the device gives the user the ability to control the flesh golem known as the Beast of Lepidstadt like a puppet.

After the homunculus watches the Six decipher the notes, he begins pantomiming again. First he pantomimes whispering in Dantrian's ear, then holds his hands parallel with his palms facing each other, and 'drives' them along the air, making an invisible path between them. Then he points to the notes, then to the ceiling, then mimes a fight. Then he goes back into the act of the bound and captured Caromarc, and frowns, pretending to cry.

Dantrian stares at the homonculus flatly for several long moments then turns to the others, briefly explaining the contents of the notes. He looks back at the creature and asks, "Are you suggesting we activate the device to summon the bondslave thrall and use it to free the count?"

An eyebrow raised in question B'yelka says, "But what were you fighting?"

Well this explains a lot. The cases we investigated were all mistaken identity or perpetrators deliberately playing on the legend of the Beast. Except the University. Aaron undoubtedly was the one that broke in and stole the effigy and now we know it was because he was under control. The amulet we found in the gate suggests it was by the Whispering Way!

Anton snaps his fingers, unaware that his comrades have probably already worked all this out. He is faithful and loyal and determined but not abundantly clever like Dantrian.

B'yelka starts to reach over to pat Anton's shoulder, then realizes how condescending that would be. She opts to say, "Seems like that's the right of it. But it still leaves us with one big question. Why did the Whisperers go so far out of their Way to arrange this?" She smiles at her ever so clever play on the Way's name.

Dantrian stares at the homonculus flatly for several long moments then turns to the others, briefly explaining the contents of the notes. He looks back at the creature and asks, "Are you suggesting we activate the device to summon the bondslave thrall and use it to free the count?"

The homonculus shrugs its shoulders and holds its hands out to the sides in the universal gesture for "beats me".

An eyebrow raised in question B'yelka says, "But what were you fighting?"

The homunculus points to the corpse of the dead gorillon golem. Then it makes the "crazy" gesture by twirling its finger around next to its temple. Then it points to its arms, and holds up two fingers. The it points to its legs and holds up eight fingers. Then it mimes something shooting out of its bum, and points up to the ceiling. Then it mimes being trapped. Then it cocks its head, waiting for the humans to vocalize their interpretation of his message so can confirm or deny it.

We don't need to use the Speak with Dead spell again. Our job isn't to prove Vorkstag committed the arson as an act of malice, it's to exonerate the Beast. It doesn't matter if Vorkstag set the fire by accident or with the intent to kill, as long as he did it and the Beast didn't. Besides, that second scroll is for Bonbon to eat and learn permanently. Plus, while getting more details about Vorkstag's intentions may give Anton more evidence that Vorkstag committed a crime, it still doesn't give us the lawful authority to enter the factory.

Anton, were you going to tell us that Grine detects as evil? If so, then Tibideau would argue that you have a duty to attempt to remove the evil threat, even if it involves breaking minor laws.

We didn't have "permission" to enter any of the other places we've been, really, it's just that they were either abandoned or haunted and nobody wanted to be there.

Bottom line, if we go into the factory without Dantrian and Anton, we'll be in trouble. But I think we should have the XP and loot as the AP provides for us. We'll need it on the next leg of our journey after we leave Lepidstadt.

Tibideau, I hate to disagree but we did have permission along the way so far. The town council employed us to sort out the problems with the prison and everywhere in this book has been abandoned although we have been asked by the Judge to investigate.

The difference here is that we are considering breaking into someone place of business. Yes Grine registered as evil - but only faintly. That could be as simple as him being a total d*ck to his workforce.

Sorry guys, I can see I'm putting up roadblocks here so ultimately I will defer to the group - I just think it's an issue that would be particularly pertinent to Anton.

That's not what I'm saying Anton. It's true that entering would be breaking the law and you have no authority to do so. I'm saying that that fact is not going to change, and that you don't need to enter to continue the story.

I'm also saying the price for following the law will be missing out on loot and XP that module assumes you will get, thus making the rest of the story slightly more difficult. I think it's actually admirable to have a player stick to their character's guns. But it's also a reason I almost never play LG. Because being an adventurer is often an extra-legal proposition. It's the job of essentially killing things and taking their stuff. In fact I find the entire alignment system to be ridiculous and hard to believe. But whatever...Do what you want, I don't care. I'm just an arbitrator.

That's true. Anton now knows Vorkstag was at least responsible for the fire if perhaps not intentional and that Grine is mildly evil. Up to him if that is enough to warrant breaking into the factory to investigate. We also believe they were present at Morast and probably involved in some grave robbing. Remember the human face too.

Still, it's hardly a smoking gun and mostly circumstantial. Maybe the Judges would agree to a warrant if presented with all this but I think Jelani is saying its unlikely. We've done well so far so it might be enough to save Aaron without this.

This is also where it's a bit weird for all Paladins to be LG. Desna isn't the most concerned with laws but her Paladin must be regardless.

Janos will grumble and protest but I'm fine with it either way. Maybe we can be tasked to investigate the factory after the trial based on the evidence.

Also, that's not how detect evil works. It's based off their hit dice. A faint aura means he's either a normal evil person with 5-10 hit dice, an undead with 2 or less HD or an outsider with 1 or less HD.

He could murder rape babies all day long and if he was only level 2 he wouldn't detect as evil at all. The faint aura means he has an evil alignment. To get an evil alignment you have to consistently do evil things. Not just be a dick.

Fair point on the Detect Evil.

As I said, I will go with the group for the purposes of the story.

Let's not let alignment get between friends :)

I think they should definitely change the rules and paladins should be like clerics and be the same alignment as their deity.

Anton, it's good to have the conflict for roleplaying stuff. I'm about to embark on my first LG character myself, I'm sure I'll run into situations like this in the future.

Be interesting to see what Dantrian thinks too. No way we can do it without both of them, but just without Anton? Possible if difficult. Anton could play Kendrao so he doesnt just sit out too.

To assuage your conscience lets look at the code of conduct.

"Additionally, a paladin's code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents.

Associates: While she may adventure with good or neutral allies, a paladin avoids working with evil characters or with anyone who consistently offends her moral code. Under exceptional circumstances, a paladin can ally with evil associates, but only to defeat what she believes to be a greater evil. A paladin should seek an atonement spell periodically during such an unusual alliance, and should end the alliance immediately should she feel it is doing more harm than good. A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good."

Nowhere does it say you have to follow the law. It says you have to respect lawful authority. In this case I think the greater good of potentially finding more evidence to exonerate the Beast, and preventing whatever evil is going on inside the chymic works would outweigh the lawful side. Also as Janos points out, Lady Desna is not lawful. While she respects your integrity, she doesn't care in this situation.

That does nothing to remove the stick of law from Dan's rear though.

We have no evidence that Grine has harmed anyone aside from his being evil.

If we knew these two were experimenting on kids or something then yes, Anton would be kicking down the door. But the fact is we don't. I just can't see a truly lawful good character barging in on a hunch - that's totally chaotic to me.

Whether Desna is lawful or not is largely irrelevant because Anton is. He wants to do the right thing but he also wants things done right.

Good can only be achieved through order, no matter what other philosophies espouse. In this regard, you might hold laws to be absolutely necessary for the good of all, and refuse to participate in actions that would bring you into conflict with the law. The law is black and white, so you brook no conversations regarding its spirit

I've had this debate many times and my personal opinion is that paladins should be hardasses when it comes to the law. It is a difficult class to play because they have these kinds of restrictions.

That stick remains!

To concede a point though, Dantrian would be willing to aid with a break-in AFTER the trial is concluded. Though a good and reasoned argument now could also persuade him. He just doesn't see a way around it that doesn't jeopardize their job as the Beast's council and defense.

I know Judge Daramind said to keep her name out of our investigations, but is there any hope that she could/would issue us a warrant to enter the Chymic Works?

For what it's worth, Dantrian's argument about *solid* repercussions is more compelling to B'yelka than, 'cause it's wrong' :)

And I would take that as Dantrians higher intelligence than Antons. He can't give a strong reasoned argument like Dan.

Dantrian's argument about repercussions is good. We're dealing with a lawful proceeding here, so doing things non-lawfully could be a real detriment.

I applaud you guys for not going with the murder-hobo route. I wonder if the AP writers even considered that possibility.

In the new "Inner Sea Gods" I came across this under Desna:
"Follow a Hunch, but Bear the Consequences: If faced
with a sudden problem, worshipers should be guided
by intuition and emotions if reason doesn’t provide an
obvious answer. If this leads to something harmful, they
are responsible for repairing the harm that is done."

In the new "Inner Sea Gods" I came across this under Desna:

"Follow a Hunch, but Bear the Consequences: If faced
with a sudden problem, worshipers should be guided
by intuition and emotions if reason Dantrian doesn’t provide an
obvious answer. If this leads to something harmful, they
are responsible for repairing the harm that is done."

=P

To be completely clear, this is the legal situation - You are not law enforcement, and won't ever be unless you give up your careers as adventurers and go apply for a job. You are independent investigators for the Beast's trial only, with no legal authority.

If you go to the judges, they will be like "What are you doing? You're supposed to be investigating the Beast, not our productive businesses. If you suspect them of crime, report it to the guard."

If you go to the cops, they will be like "So you want to charge misters Vorkstag and Grine with a crime? What evidence do you have? Can you please file this report? Thanks! Now let the police do our job, and stay out of the way or you'll end up in prison."

Dantrian and Anton are totally correct on the legal front. The end. It's a purely in-character personality choice, which they are stonewalling. Unless the other three of you want to go in without them and incur their ire, we should move on.

This arrangement of evidence seems to average our chances the most.
How's it look, folks?

Anton +21 = 11 + 10 (Brada's connection w/ Vorkstag & Grine)
B'yelka +19 = +14 + 5 (Karl's testimony that V&G frequented Sanctuary)
Drosil +27 = +7 + 20 (Brada's posthumous eye witness testimony identifying Vorkstag as arsonist)

I'm happy with that.

Sounds good to me. Unless someone catches up to Janos, you may have find him at the Inn and convince him to come to dinner. He accepts the choice, but doesn't have to be happy about it.

Wow...I apparently clicked the "don't tell me about updates to this thread" link a couple months ago, and missed a ton.

To recap, yes, I was perfectly fine going with the two daggers (mithral +1 and +1 shape-changer bane), and getting rid of the rapier. I had thought we had done that already, actually.

As far as the rest of it, I'm fine with presenting the evidence as suggested, and, while Drosil isn't thrilled with it, I'm fine with moving on.

Wow...I apparently clicked the "don't tell me about updates to this thread" link a couple months ago, and missed a ton.

Literally loled when I read that.

I chuckled as well =)

Ok - updated the rapier/shapechanger bane daggers in the inventory log. I think our first order of business after the trial/hearing/whatever should be to get Anton a magicified bow!

That would be great. I don't think B'yelka is going to want to share any cash with me though!

Share and make you indebted to her? Oh, of course not. Especially now that she knows how stuffed up you are about 'upholding' the law ;)

And here I thought Dantrian's observations would draw the B'yelka aggro off of Anton =P

Just because he's #2 on the hate list does not mean he's off the list :-p

Does that mean Dantrian is #1 on both the Hate and Secretly Love lists?

*bah*!!! Men!

Does anyone else want to chime in at the dinner table or are we wanting to jump into the final presentment of evidences?

I guess Tibideau is a bit tired after talking to the head and weathering a disagreement. Bedtime it is!

Janos will be ready for the next day.

Level 7 is a big one for Bards: Move Action Performance and 3rd Level spells!

Haste Obviously and one other... any suggestions? Displacement, Good Hope (I like this one...) or for this campaign, Daylight?

3rd level spells for Bard is a gold mine. And yeah, Daylight isn't one I would normally consider, but it could be better for this campaign.

Others to think about: Confusion (though it has a save), Dispel Magic, Mass Feather Step, Invisibility Sphere, and the best spell ever, Mad Monkeys.

Tibideau has Dispel Magic, and plans to prepare it on a regular basis, so B'yelka doesn't need that. He doesn't have access to Haste or any Invisibility stuff.

lol Janos, I think Mad Monkeys is more Tibi's style ;) I can just see him giggling hysterically when that swarm lands!

About Confusion: B'yelka can push a moderately high DC for that save, my concern is more about Carrion Crown. We *expect* to fight lots of Undead and B'yelka has a spell she has never cast (Charm Person). So, it's not the saves, but the relative lack of true targets. See also, Tibi's Sleep Hex 'issue' :)

Invisibility Sphere may be a money maker, though. Party Invis, or mad party buff Good Hope? Let's face it, +2 Morale bonus to Hit, Damage, Saves, and Skills coupled with +2 Competence Bonus to Hit and Damage... heh... I love Bards! :D

Level 7!

+7 hp (5 + Con mod + fav class)
+1 BAB
+1 Hero Point

+1 Feat: Power Attack
+1d6 Sneak Attack (4d6)
+Torturous transformation: add anthropomorphic animal to formula book as 2nd level extract - usable only as 2 hour procedure
+1 3rd Level Forumlae: thorn body
+1 3rd Level Extract Slot/day

+8 Skill Points
+1 craft (alchemy)
+1 disable device
+1 knowledge (arcana)
+1 knowledge (nature)
+1 knowledge (planes)
+1 knowledge (religion)
+1 perception
+1 spellcraft

Oh boy! This was Dantrian's final level in Alchemist!

side note: i will never use that torturous transformation ability. blah.

B'yelka, you've some tough choices ahead! Those all sound like great options.

lol Janos, I think Mad Monkeys is more Tibi's style ;) I can just see him giggling hysterically when that swarm lands!

About Confusion: B'yelka can push a moderately high DC for that save, my concern is more about Carrion Crown. We *expect* to fight lots of Undead and B'yelka has a spell she has never cast (Charm Person). So, it's not the saves, but the relative lack of true targets. See also, Tibi's Sleep Hex 'issue' :)

Invisibility Sphere may be a money maker, though. Party Invis, or mad party buff Good Hope? Let's face it, +2 Morale bonus to Hit, Damage, Saves, and Skills coupled with +2 Competence Bonus to Hit and Damage... heh... I love Bards! :D

Aren't inspire courage and good hope both morale bonuses? If so, they won't stack, so keep that in mind.

Nope - inspire courage is a competence bonus to attack/damage, while, yes, good hope is morale. So they do stack, and could both be started in a single round. :-)

Anton level 7

+8p
+1 skill point in diplomacy, perception and sense motive
Manyshot feat
Learning eagles splendor as my spell for now

Drosil Level 7

+7 HP
Dazzling Display feat (in preparation for Shattered Defenses next level)
+1d6 Sneak Attack damage (+4d6 now)
+9 Skill points (Acrobatics, Disable Device, Intimidate x4, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth)

iirc, Inspire was a Morale in 3.x. Did I mention I love Pathfinder, too? lol

Drosil, one day man. One day you and I will be flanking a dude and it will be an amazing display of d6's. One day.

Inspire Courage is a competence bonus to attacks and morale bonus to saves.

So I'd like opinions on feats for Janos too:

Deadly Aim: Really up his archery game here.
Lunge: Hit things 5 feet away. Could be more fun when enlarged.
Step Up: Counter the 5 foot step tactic, and possibly the first of a nice chain
Favored Defense: Not something I would normally consider, but with the undead heavy campaign, this could be a huge boost. Immediately a +2 AC vs all undead and will grow.

I find Step Up to be more troublesome than not in a pbp format, so that's the only one I'd advise against just because of the experience of trying to make good of it myself.

I see Janos has Cleave. I've had tremendous success with Cleaving Finish if you've a mind to pursue the Cleave tree a little further. It synergizes extremely well with Lunge and a reach weapon. It's super nice that the next target doesn't have to be adjacent to the one you drop, just within reach.

Also, lead blades + Vital Strike could be super gross (read as: awesome).

Lunge or Deadly Aim. Lunge is great for a Melee type, being able to affect more targets is always a good thing. Deadly Aim is good, too. However, do you want to emphasize Janos' shooting or axin'?

Last chance to weigh in! Invisibility Sphere or Good Hope Invis gives us more options while Good Hope gives B'yelka more of what she was built to do: make you all AMAZING!

I think we'll be better off with Good Hope before Invisibility Sphere. Of course, Drosil isn't lacking in stealth, so we may be a little biased. :-P